By We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, myths and misperceptions about COVID and vaccines continue to arise and evolve on social media, online, and in daily conversations. Getting facts from a reliable source can keep myths from complicating decisions about getting vaccinated and boosted or following other prevention measures.
As of March 2, CDC reports that nearly 59 percent of eligible Asian Americans and over 45 percent of eligible Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received their boosters—so our community has a long way to go before we are all fully up to date with our vaccines. As a reminder, everyone 12 and older should get a booster at least 5 months after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and 2 months after their Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
Below are the facts behind COVID vaccine and booster myths:
Myth: The need for booster shots is a sign that the vaccines aren’t working.
Fact: Science shows that COVID vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, studies show that protection against mild and moderate disease can decrease gradually over time, and boosters can make your protection last longer. They can also help protect you against new variants.
Myth: Vaccinated and boosted people no longer need to wear masks or social distance.
Fact: Even though vaccines reduce the risk of spreading and getting COVID, the virus can still be passed through the air as people breathe and talk, especially in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces. To help prevent the spread of COVID and reduce risk of infection, everyone ages 2 years and older should wear the best-fitting mask available to them while in public indoor areas regardless of their vaccination status. In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.
Myth: Since there are more ways to treat COVID, getting vaccinated is no longer necessary.
Fact: Many advances have been made in the fight against COVID, but treatments have limitations, and it is always better to prevent disease in the first place. Some treatments, including antivirals like “the COVID pill,” must be taken within days of getting COVID and are only for people at highest risk. Other treatments are taken by injection or intravenously in multiple sessions in a healthcare facility. Treatments are in limited supply and do not prevent you from getting COVID. They can also be expensive. Getting vaccinated teaches our bodies to recognize and fight the virus. No-cost vaccines and boosters offer the best form of protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Myth: Natural immunity from getting sick with COVID is better than the immunity you get from vaccination.
Fact: The risks of getting seriously ill from COVID, or of developing long COVID after infection, far outweigh any potential side effects of COVID vaccines. Getting vaccinated gives most people a high level of protection against severe illness. Current data shows show that unvaccinated adults 18 and older are five times more likely to get COVID than vaccinated adults and 16 times more likely to be hospitalized from it than vaccinated adults. Vaccination also protects the people around you since you can spread COVID to others when you are ill. Vaccination even provides more robust protection for people who have already had COVID to reduce the risk of getting infected again.
Myths and misperceptions about COVID, vaccines, and boosters are everywhere, and misinformation can interfere with making informed decisions about getting vaccinated or following other prevention measures — putting people at risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
For accurate, science-based information about vaccines and boosters, visit www.vaccines.gov.